G-Dragon’s “Kwon Ji Yong” EP review

With Big Bang finishing all group activities involving their “MADE” album, it was time for the individual members to go their separate ways temporarily to do their own thing. With TOP leaving for the military and the other members working on their own solo albums, the leader of Big Bang also decided to work on an album. With his previous solo releases being hailed as classics, everyone was anticipating this release.

Good

With this release, he wanted the VIPs of the world to look into his personal life not as the persona of GD, but one of “Kwon Ji Yong” which is his real name. He was going through the rollercoaster of life, and he wanted everyone along for the ride. As this is a look into his life, we don’t get any guest appearances. We get 100% G-Dragon.

What made this album interesting for those that bought the physical copy, is that the consumer didn’t get an actual disk. They ended up with a USB thumbdrive which they can obtain codes to download the song. It’s something that has never been done before.

Bad

Although, it is his most personal work, it’s not his best. It takes a second listen to get thrusted into his world. This album isn’t filled with notable songs that rival his previous albums and EPs. This EP did lack a lot of commercial songs for the casual fans since a ton of Big Bang fans fall along the lines of casual. I believe this album is geared towards all the hardcore VIPs that have been with him and the rest of the group for years.

The concept of a thumbdrive is cool and all, but at this point, it’s a hassle. It would have been great had the songs appeared instantly when opening up the music program on the computer, but it made you retrieve the song online. There are a ton of people that still love the quality of an actual compact disk.

Overview

I feel that this is the swan song for G-Dragon as he and the rest of the Big Bang members are in the inevitable when it comes to mandatory enlistment for the South Korean military. It’s a somber feeling when that day comes, so he had to pour all his feelings out for the fans. The past few years have been wonderful and full of struggle.
Overall rating: 4/5
Reviewed by: Timtastic